On a Saturday morning in May of 1958, nine municipal administrators came together at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto to discuss forming a small association of chief administrative officers that would meet periodically and assist in the promotion of better local government. Thanks to founding members Brantford, Cornwall, Galt, Guelph, Kingston, Kitchener, St Catharines, Sarnia and Sault Ste. Marie, the "Municipal Chief Administrative Officials Association of Ontario" was formed--subsequently renamed the "Ontario Municipal Administrators' Association (OMAA)
For over 60 years, OMAA members have been strengthening the quality of municipal governance through professional management.
Today our association's membership base is approximately 350 of Ontario's Chief Administrative Officers (CAO) and Aspiring CAOs, having collective responsibility for the administrative matters for municipalities representing over 75% of the population of Ontario.
Members of OMAA are professional managers and hold the position within their municipality that exercises general control and management of affairs of the municipality, as set out within the Ontario Municipal Act. As such, the CAO members of OMAA are key decision makers and leaders in the direction of their municipalities, providing professional support for their elected officials and ensuring the implementation of Council policies.
Widely recognized for promoting and supporting good governance, by encouraging excellence in CAO leadership, know-how and professional management of municipalities
To provide professional development, services and support and networking opportunities, which enable Members to be the best they can be in serving the public as Municipal Executives.